The year was 2009. You were invited to the movie theater to see 500 Days of Summer with a group of your high school pals. The occasion called for some makeup, a dusting of gold-flecked bronzer perhaps, or a generous smudge of black eyeliner. But you didn’t feel put together without one more thing: a swipe of concealer across your lips. 

Much to our embarrassment when uncovering old mirror selfies, millennials were taken with concealer lips at the end of the 2000s. Revealed to Gen Z via a TikTok filter called “Makeup Back to 2008,” the cosmetic choice was met with confusion and cringe. How, the younger generation asks, did we decide that concealer was a supreme stand-in for lipstick? We pose three theories here. 

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Whatever the justification, we won’t be revisiting the cancelled-out lip color any time soon. But concealer can serve a purpose when layered with other lip products. Celebrity Makeup Artist and Brand Founder Jenny Patinkin says a small amount it can act as a base to bring out brighter pigments. “Concealer helps create a canvas for stronger color payoff or to get a graduated ombre look. I recommend using the least amount possible so it doesn't dry your lips out, and skipping it altogether if you have fine lines around your mouth because it'll for sure cause bleeding.” she advises. 

So, Gen Z, if you’re going to adorn yourselves with the butterfly clips, tiny tanks and baguette bags of the 2000s, you must accept our concealer lips phase.

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